STATEN ISLAND, NY — This borough can be a tricky animal when it comes to lunch time. Many places can be hit-or-miss on convivial crowds and affordable dining deals. But we’ve picked 10 spots around the borough that appeal due to their niche markets, speedy service and/or buzzing dining scenes.

The Food: Diner-style with a telephone directory of offerings. The restaurant bakes its own desserts and has sugar-free sweets.

The Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Deals: Complete lunches cost $15 or less.

Brother’s Pizza

750 Port Richmond Ave.,

Port Richmond; 718-442-2332

Yup, there are hundreds of places to stop for a slice. (Weigh in on the subject via SILive.com comments, if you will.) But this parlor is on the crossroads of a few neighborhoods, making it convenient when passing through the North Shore by bus or car. Pizzaria take-out is available on one side, so the separate dining area lets you pretty much bus and serve your own table

The Digs: Nothing fancy but you’re assured an excellent Grandma slice or fresh-from-the-oven pie with soft drinks in a well-lit, casual dining room

The Food: Pizza, rice balls and rolls are best bets.

The Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-midnight.

The Deals: None — but it’s a sure thing if you’re looking to zip in and out.

When George Bakratsas had his shop up the block on Victory Boulevard, this was the place North Shore and Todt Hill types would recognize familiar faces — your neighborhood postal worker, a retired political type or two — casually nibbling on burgers and club sandwiches. But the restaurant flow hasn’t changed much except it’s newer and shinier.

The Digs: Jazzed up, clean, well-lit diner.

The Food: Diner fare with a tame number of offerings compared to other such establishments.

The Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Deals: Rotating specials with most complete meals ringing up under $15.

East Pacific Pan-Asian Bistro

2655 Richmond Ave., New Springville

718-370-2225

This pleasant restaurant certainly is a convenient stop and quiet oasis when shopping. It’s also removed enough from its landlord, The Mall, with an outside entrance and plenty of parking. Consistently good food makes it a destination unto itself.

The Digs: Pretty, modern design with a notably cozy, civilized sushi bar set apart from the dining area.

The Food: Excellent sushi; Japanese fare combined with Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai offerings and a full bar.

Often a bustling spot midday, this bistro keeps lunch on a healthy note with plenty of salad, veggie and soup options. May remind of an upscale diner with trattoria offerings and a wonderful, oblong-shaped thin-crust pizza served on a cutting board.

The Deals: Specials and most entrees crafted from hearty portions cost less than $16.

Pho Mac

1407 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head;

718-982-9292

If you’re not Asian, you may be the only gringo in the restaurant on any given day. But if you love the authentic, clean flavors and scents that hail from Vietnamese kitchens — lemongrass, star of anise, chicory coffee and charred beef — you’ll deeply appreciate this fun spot.

The Digs: Two-story restaurant (not wheelchair accessible on the second floor); ideal for parties of eight or less.

The Deals: Food is super cheap and hearty: noodle and/or meat-noodle soups (pho) run less than $10.

The Staaten

697 Forest Ave., West Brighton;

718-448-6000

If you’re under 40 years old, you’ll lower the average age of the patrons by about 20 years. (Well, we’re kind of kidding there.) But the seniors indeed set the tone in the place, a crowd that is generally well-dressed to dine.

The Digs: Elongated room and bar separate from a catering hall offering a la carte lunch

The Food: Rather simple American-Italian food that in yesteryear speak was considered “continental” cuisine; full bar

The Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Deals: Score a complete lunch (or early dinner, if you see it that way) for about $12 to $13, plus there are drink daily specials

Trattoria Romana

1476 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills;

718-980-3113

With its continual ebb and flow of customers, the convivial tone here makes it a favorite hang out for a leisurely lunch or backdrop for a business meeting.

The Digs: Comfortable dining room with wood accents

The Food: Pizza from a wood-burning oven plus hearty Northern Italian dishes and daily specials listed on a menu board; full bar.

The Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

The Deals: There are no regular lunch deals but one can score a meal and soft drink for less than $20

Tastebuds

1807 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills;

718-351-8693

Sandalwood-scented, holistic, Jesus slipper-clad veganists are not the only patrons here. Diet-challenged Islanders can dine in or take out freshly prepared, salubrious options like veggie stews, non-meat protein dishes, sprouted beans, quinoa cakes, salads made with vibrantly colored ingredients, an excellent tuna salad made with fake mayo and one or two soups du jour.

The Digs: Lunch counter and hot/cold buffet housed in a health food store

The Food: Outstanding juice bar is open all day; a help-yourself-buffet has rotating selections but soup, tuna salad and a tossed salad are staples. No booze.

The Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Hot lunch specifically is presented around 11 a.m. and is available until around 4 p.m. or until food runs out.)

The Deals: None, but if you’re a health nut or diet-restricted, budget may not be a consideration.